Ways to vote

On this page:

Ordinary vote

An ordinary vote is a vote cast by an elector at a polling place or at an early voting centre within the division for which they are enrolled. This is the simplest way to vote and the method used by the majority of electors.

Absent vote

An absent vote is a vote cast by an elector out of their home division but still within their home state or territory on election day.

Early vote

You can vote early either in person or by post if on election day you:

are outside the electorate where you are enrolled to vote

are more than 8km from a polling place

are travelling

are unable to leave your workplace to vote

are seriously ill, infirm or due to give birth shortly (or caring for someone who is)

are a patient in hospital and can't vote at the hospital

have religious beliefs that prevent you from attending a polling place

are in prison serving a sentence of less than three years or otherwise detained

Provisional vote

A provisional vote is cast in circumstances where an elector's name cannot be found on the roll or the name has already been marked off the roll. The vote cannot be counted until a careful check of enrolment records and entitlements has been made.

Electors making an absent, postal, early (not in own division), interstate or provisional vote must complete a declaration envelope giving their personal details. This will be checked by divisional staff before the votes are counted.

Mobile polling

AEC mobile polling teams visit many electors who are not able to get to a polling place. Mobile polling facilities are set up in some hospitals, nursing homes, prisons and remote areas of Australia. Mobile polling is carried out around Australia prior to election day and on election day.